Severe weather damage to agricultural areas in Bulgaria

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MAF) has announced alarming data regarding the state of crops in the country. A total of over 1,800 hectares of agricultural land have been damaged by adverse weather events in nine districts: Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Dobrich, Kardzhali, Plovdiv, Sliven, Stara Zagora, and Yambol.

Currently, 69 applications for damage assessment have been submitted, with the highest number of requests registered in the Yambol district – a total of 31 applications.

Which crops are affected?

The damage covers a variety of cereals, vegetables, and perennial crops. Among the most severely affected crops are:

  • Cereals: Corn and sunflower
  • Vegetables: Potatoes, peppers, and lentils
  • Industrial crops: Coriander and tobacco
  • Perennial crops: Walnut orchards

What is the assistance procedure?

Farmers whose production has been destroyed can rely on state aid. The process consists of several stages:

  1. Submission of an application: Within 10 working days of the event occurring, to the relevant municipal agriculture office.
  2. Expert inspection: Commissions from the regional "Agriculture" directorates carry out on-site inspections.
  3. Damage assessment: Findings reports are issued for 100% destroyed areas, which serve as the basis for subsequent financial assistance.

Agricultural producers are urged to monitor deadlines and submit their documents in a timely manner to ensure their right to compensation in accordance with current regulations.